Kevin Arms | Author & Educator

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries across the globe, and librarianship is no exception. From metadata generation to virtual reference bots, AI is streamlining tasks and transforming the ways libraries serve their communities. But amid the excitement—and the anxiety—surrounding these changes, one question keeps coming up: Will AI replace librarians?

The short answer? No.

The longer, more important answer is that AI can augment librarianship, but it cannot replicate the depth, ethics, context, and care that human librarians bring to the table. As someone who has spent years studying, implementing, and reflecting on these technological shifts, I believe this is a moment of renewal for our field—not a eulogy.

Let me explain why.

AI Handles Tasks. Librarians Provide Meaning.
AI is remarkably good at automating repetitive and transactional tasks. Cataloging, metadata extraction, overdue notices, and even basic reference questions can be handled by algorithms. This creates an incredible opportunity for librarians to pivot into more strategic, high-impact work—whether that’s digital literacy instruction, instructional design, data analysis, or research partnerships.

When I was in graduate school, I anticipated this shift and argued that our profession would need to evolve beyond traditional service roles. Now, I see that evolution happening in real time. AI isn’t replacing librarians—it’s clearing the path for us to do the work that only humans can: applying context, guiding interpretation, fostering critical thinking, and building meaningful connections.

Personalization Doesn’t Equal Expertise
Modern AI tools offer impressive personalization: adaptive discovery systems, intelligent search recommendations, even citation assistance. These features enhance efficiency—but they have limits.

Research isn’t always straightforward. Interdisciplinary topics, emerging fields, and controversial questions demand human judgment. A machine may retrieve a source, but it cannot understand its significance within a specific academic or emotional context. That’s where librarians come in.

The solution is not to resist AI, but to build tiered models where AI handles the “first mile” of research, and human experts step in for the deeper journey. Users should always know when they’re speaking to a bot and when they’re getting human guidance. Transparency matters.

Empathy Is Not Programmable
AI cannot replace empathy. It cannot recognize when a student is nervous, confused, or overwhelmed. It cannot adjust its tone for sensitive topics or understand how local context and culture shape information needs.

The real risk of AI in libraries isn’t job loss—it’s the loss of human nuance.

To guard against that, libraries must commit to hybrid service models where technology supports, but never displaces, human care. We must train not only for technical skills but also for emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and ethical decision-making.

Information Integrity Requires Human Stewardship
AI models are only as good as the data they’re trained on—and that data often reflects existing biases, misinformation, and gaps. From hallucinated citations to skewed search rankings, we’ve seen how AI can generate misleading results.

Librarians are—and must remain—the stewards of reliable information. This means vetting AI tools, advocating for transparency from vendors, and training users to understand both the power and the limitations of AI. It also means building AI literacy into our teaching, so that patrons are equipped to ask the right questions, challenge flawed outputs, and make informed judgments.

Librarianship Is Evolving, Not Disappearing
Yes, AI will reshape our roles. But it won’t eliminate them. In fact, it may expand them. Tasks like digital scholarship, instructional design, data ethics consultation, and community engagement are rising in importance—precisely because machines can’t do them alone.

I’ve seen this firsthand at my institution. We’re using AI to streamline embedded librarian scheduling, develop chatbots for after-hours support, and manage resource discovery across a rapidly growing student body. But we also recognize that successful integration requires thoughtful planning, continuous learning, and a strong ethical foundation.

Preparing librarians for an AI-integrated future isn’t just about tools—it’s about creating a workplace culture that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and experimentation. We should be helping shape AI, not just reacting to it.

Conclusion: AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement
Artificial intelligence will never replace the librarian. It may replace some tasks we’ve historically performed—but those were never the core of our value. Our value lies in our ability to listen, interpret, guide, teach, and connect. No algorithm can replicate that.

In fact, AI makes our role more important than ever. We are the translators, the mediators, the ethical anchors in a sea of information. We are not becoming obsolete—we’re becoming essential.

And that’s a future I’m excited to build.